HOW DO I MEASURE A BOLT PATTERN?
Let’s start off with the basics. First, what’s a bolt pattern? Given in a two-number system, a bolt pattern, also known as the lug pattern, is the measurement of an imaginary circle formed by the lug holes at the center of your wheel.
The first number indicates how many bolt holes the wheel has. The second number is the diameter of the imaginary circle around the holes. For example, a wheel with a 5-100mm bolt pattern has 5 lug holes equally spaced around a circle with a 100mm diameter.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Typically, larger vehicles have more lugs, while smaller vehicles have fewer. Found on passenger cars, SUVs and small pickups, rims with a five-lug pattern are the most common.
And why does your wheel lug pattern matter to you? Great question!
Knowing your bolt pattern is critical because it’s how your wheels are secured to your vehicle using lug nuts/lug bolts. Having the right bolt pattern ensures a safe fit, and nothing is more stylish than safety.
Never try to install wheels on your vehicle that don’t match your OE bolt pattern, no matter how close in size they might seem to be. The wrong bolt pattern can prevent the wheel from mounting safely.
If you want to be sure to find rims with the right bolt pattern, you can save time and money by buying your wheels online. Enter your vehicle information and we’ll only show you wheels that are the perfect fit for your ride. Plus, you can use our wheel visualizer to see how great your new wheels look on your exact vehicle, including make, model and OE paint color.
To see a visual demonstration of the proper way to measure your wheel bolt pattern, check out the illustrations below! Or feel free to visit your nearest store and we can help you measure your wheel lug pattern.
4-bolt patterns are measured in a straight line from center to center of two bolt holes sitting directly across from each other.
5-bolt patterns can be more difficult to measure since the bolt holes are not directly across from each other. You can estimate the measurement by using a straight line from the backside of one hole to the center of the third bolt hole. The accurate measurement is depicted here and can only be measured with a special tool called a bolt pattern gauge or by using a complex geometric equation.
6-bolt patterns are measured in a straight line from center to center of two bolt holes sitting directly across from each other.
8-bolt patterns are measured in a straight line from center to center of two bolt holes sitting directly across from each other.
What is a dual-drill bolt pattern?
On your wheel-hunting journey, you may also come across the phrase dual drilled wheels, or dual-drill bolt pattern. In short, a dual drill wheel is a rim that is drilled with two sets of bolt holes.
With this additional set of holes, dual drill wheels can accept two different bolt patterns. This simple change enables a single wheel to fit a much wider range of vehicles!
For example, a wheel with a 5-100/114.3 millimeter bolt pattern has ten total bolt holes. It can accommodate vehicles with the 5-100 millimeter bolt pattern and the 5-114.3 millimeter bolt pattern.
Different Types of Bolt Patterns
4-Lug
5-Lug
6-Lug
8-Lug
Dual
With different types of vehicles comes a demand for different types of bolt patterns. Depending on the vehicle you drive, you might find your ride has a 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 lug bolt pattern. Whatever bolt pattern you’re looking for, we stock them all, with wheel offerings from all the best brands.
While most bolt patterns are given in millimeters (mm), they’re often referred to by their standard variations. Check out our bolt pattern conversion chart below to see what your bolt pattern is in metric and standard measurements.
BOLT PATTERN CONVERSION CHART (MILLIMETER TO INCHES)
| 4-Lug Bolt Pattern Conversions (mm to Inches) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4-98mm = 4-3.86" | 4-100mm = 4-3.94" | 4-108mm = 4-4.25" |
| 4-110mm = 4-4.33" | 4-114.3mm = 4-4.5" | |
| 5-Lug Bolt Pattern Conversions (mm to Inches) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5-98mm = 5-3.86" | 5-100mm = 5-3.94" | 5-108mm = 5-4.25" |
| 5-110mm = 5-4.33" | 5-112mm = 5-4.41" | 5-114.3mm = 5-4.5" |
| 5-115mm = 5-4.52" | 5-120mm = 5-4.72" | 5-120.7mm = 5-4.75" |
| 5-127mm = 5-5" | 5-130mm = 5-5.12" | 5-135mm = 5-5.3" |
| 5-139.7mm = 5-5.5" | 5-205mm = 5-8.07" | 5-150mm = 5-5.91" |
| 5-155mm = 5-6.1" | 5-165.1mm = 5-6.5" | |
| 6-Lug Bolt Pattern Conversions (mm to Inches) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6-114.3mm = 6-4.5" | 6-115mm = 6-4.52" | 6-127mm = 6-5" |
| 6 x 132mm = 6 x 5.2" | 6-135mm = 6-5.3" | 6-139.7mm = 6-5.5" |
| 8-Lug Bolt Pattern Conversions (mm to Inches) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8-165.1mm = 8-6.5" | 8-170mm = 8-6.69" | 8-200mm = 8-7.87" |
Still having trouble finding the wheels you’re looking for? That’s why we’re here. We can help you find and special order anything out there. And if you want to turn your wheel upgrade into a traction boost for your ride too, why not design a custom wheel and tire package? With our huge inventory of tires and Treadwell’s guidance, we’ve got you covered.
If you have any questions or require any assistance, stop by any of our America's Tire locations and we'll get you taken care of! Customers who buy and book online save time in-store!